Exchange City

hello everyone! sounds like alot of us are kinda quiet right now since our exchange recently,hope you are all healing well and foobs get better everyday! im not here to complain about mine im 6 weeks out and they are not even close to the same size,but i listen to all you oldies (not age) ha ha and i am giving it time.

OK my RREAL question is: DID ANYONE GAIN WIEGHT AFTER EXCHANGE? CAPS CAUSE IM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS. please tell me why and its not fat.i had already gained 5 lbs since mx being sedatary so long and eating more from boredom! BUT now since EXCHANGE i waited 5 weeks then started at the gym, tread mill and personal trainer, moving more no more couch all day i am busy eating way better what the heck? so now since EXCHANGE i have gained another 4lbs   so aggravated   not only did i lose  breast i am now 10lbs overweight and diet and exercise is not working? anyone the same or have been  sorry to go on BUT I NEED TO VENT 

Yeah Tina!

Beacher - yes but only a little....I gained two inches in my waist however....dislike!

For everyone else - my left side has dropped...quite dramatically.  For those who saw my 'level' in the 4 week photo, I was beginning to drop then for sure, but now its really noticable.  I am hoping my MX side decides to follow suit.  Im trying to be patient with her.

Photos are up.

I'm so swollen that I don't have any opinions yet on the actual size.  It's confusing all the advice to put them in a sports bra when all the sports bras are so different.  I went looking today for one that encapsulates them without a wire, but when I found one that fit the wide bottoms, it was smashing in the tops.

I checked out Bra 101 thread.  I need to go to a bigger town that has some selection.

Lilah, thank you and you look amazing as well.  Yes, the ripples are not as visible now, I appreciate you looking.  JoanDavies sorry you are not happy either, don't suck it up, you are a beautiful woman who deserves symetry, if mine were so symetrical I would complain.  I may talk to PS about saline for the width. Everytime I turn the steerting wheel mine hurt on the sides and it feels weird too, expanders never felt this way.  A woman who works on my floor PS prefers saline so she will be getting saline. I tried to get PS to take my thighs, he drew circles around them prior to going for exchange(to appease me), but when I woke up purple circles still there - what do we have to do to get more taken out and off of us?  Westieluv, I wish my rep at Nordy's would have told me about the "Moving Comfort" sports bra (straps attached-no whole where strap goes through) $40.00, zips up front white amazing, I think I forgot to take a photo of me in it, I will and post it.  I took my front hook sports bra and masectomy bra to appt after exchange to get drains out and they put me back in masectomy bra (like a camisole that zips up front) its kinda pretty and at Nordy's.   I have started sleeping in my masectomy bra again.  TinaT, glad you are doing good with expansion, I told my PS he did too good of a job with my expanders and I could have made a good living showing them off (new career) and that is why I do not like my new foobs, but I was the only one who thought they looked good, this is what I am finding out now. 

Thank you trail2!  I'll look on line to see if I can find them.

I got very upsetting news last night.  My Mom's biopsy came back positive.  I didn't mention this to anyone earlier because I was praying for B9.  I'm waiting anxiously for a call from her about her consultation appointment with the breast surgeon. She had her biopsy on the day of my exchange.  I couldn't be in both places, so it was a hard day for me.  My fears for her are high.  I'll be introducing her to this site so that the wonderful women here can help support her also as she goes through treatment.  I just can't stop crying about it and I didn't get much sleep last night.

Does anyone know of other Mother/Daughters on this site that are going through BC? My Mom needs some inspiration.  She is very low right now.  She is 71 years young, but a widow.  My Dad passed away of cancer at age 65.  She lives 2.5 hours away from me.  I just want to get in the car to go to her.  Hold her hand, hug her. ...whatever..

Lilah,

We have not gotten the BRCA test. Waiting for her path report so I can help her look for doctors.  I sent a PM to Whippetmom to see if she had any surgeon recommendations in my Mom's area.  There is only one breast surgeon in her area and the resume is not impressive.  The surgeon is SOOO important.  She can travel some, but long travel is probably not going to work out.

The doctor mentioned surgery when she called with the path results.  My Mom's head is spinning and I'm trying to get her to slow down a bit and interview a couple of people and get opinions before taking any action.

I can't get my hands on that path report fast enough.

Westi - your boobs look really good, thanks for posting the pics.  I am sorry you are having the issue with bras.  Research the modern movement line, I ordered several from Amazon.

I am so sorry for your mom's diagnosis.  I agree you will be an awesome resource and support system for her but life really is not fair.  I have heard other mother/daughters on the boards, maybe you should start a thread..

Thinking of you ! 

westieluv:  My heart goes out to you.  So sorry to hear of your mother's diagnosis and that you're not quite close enough geographically to check in on her as often as you would like.  You are going to be her guiding light through this.  Best wishes...

Went to my PS today for what I thought would be my last fill but when I said that I thought I was big enough already he said OK we'll schedule the surgery. I have been telling him from day 1 that I wanted to be smaller. I was a 38 fullC and I am now filled with 420ccs. Looks like enough to me. My exchange is scheduled for 8/19/11. Oh yeah!!!!

Westie: So sorry to hear about your mom's diagnosis. That really sucks. I agree with everyone, start a thread for Moms & Daughters once you are ready.

I know I couldn't get through all this crap without the support of the ladies on here! You will find the strength you both need to get through it. [[[hugs]]]

Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement.  I am still happy with my exchange, but it is all overshadowed by my concern for my Mom. 

DocBabs~ Hoorah!  So happy to see that you have an E day!  It really is a great relief.

Hi Ladies--I have been off this board for sometime, so let me say hi to some familiar ladies and introduce myself to everyone else.  I love this site and this thread.  It has been so helpful to me in the past.  I am reading the most current posts, and I want to start by saying to Westie that I hope the best for your Mom.

I had a uni mx with expander in April '10 and implant reconstruction Aug '10.  I have been very satisfied with my results cosmetically, and I have photos posted in the picture forum.

Unfortunately, I have had a lot of discomfort with the implant.  I've done a lot of physical therapy, etc. to help with the symptoms, and I am now seeing a pain mgt doctor.  Nothing much helps and I'm beginning to believe that the implant is the problem and that it's got to go.

I see my ps on friday.  He and I have spoken at length before about this.  I want to talk to him about changing to a smaller implant and/or about possibly putting the implant over the muscle (directly under the skin).  I'm wondering if anyone here knows of anyone who's had pain/discomfort with their implants that's been solved by revising the reconstruction.  I saw the nurse practioner for my bc checkup the other day, and she says she has seen patients who've gotten relief.

I worry that I may be stuck with the pain no matter what I do--that the damage is done.

And yet...looking back, I didn't have pain with the expander.  There is something about the implant that's the problem.  I think maybe the way the silicone just sags with gravity that it puts pressure on the muscle.  The expander on the other hand, is rigid, and stays in place.  (Oh for a gummy implant!)

Deborah--you've advised so many of us on sizing, I wonder if you have any experience with this.  And I'd just like some moral support...Hi Lilah  Hi Mary.

xo to all and good health. 

  

Beth, sorry about your Mom.Hopefully she'll gain some strength seeing how you're handling the situation.This gives a whole new slant on mother-daughter relationships.

TinaT, the calendar isn't big enough for my circle!!

Barbara

Hello ladies,

I am  sorry I could never read all the pages I have missed. I hope everyone who has had there exchanges is doing well.

 I will be traveling to Guatemala a week from today and been so busy getting ready.  I have put off all doctors until September. I really think it is what I have needed a trip away with no worries. I have a 21 day supply of antibiotics just in case and what seems to be a pharmacy of other stuff should anything come up but I am hoping that I don't need them.

I hope all of you are having a great summer. It is great to just be a mom and go on vacation without thinking about anything.

 I have 1 question though has anyone had any problems with airport security with there implants?

Hugs to you all,

Rebecca

Westie - sending good thoughts, hugs and prayers for strength to you. I am so sorry that you have to go through this, but doubly saddened about your Mother's diagnosis. Your strength will help her as will everyone on this thread.



Moaned - did you have Alloderm sling placed at exchange. I never had pain with TEs, but the saline implants, especially right side, sagged and muscle tore. I ended up with rib inflammation and PS has to reconstruct with Alloderm patches and sling for implant. Not 100%, but at least 99% better and each daggers better. Hope you find some relief.